Star Trek The Next Generation, From Whoopi Goldberg (VIDEO)

Whoopi Goldberg was inspired by “Star Trek” as a child, and she was fortunate enough to be involved in the modern J.J. Abrams version later in her professional career.

After hearing from a friend already cast in the modern re-make of “Star Trek” that the series would be shot in the near future, Whoopi knew she had to get involved.

Whoopi actually had to convince the show’s producers that she was a true “Star Trek” devotee. “When I was a kid, I loved sci-fi and horror,” she said

“Before ‘Star Trek ,’there were no black people in the future in film or anywhere,” Whoopi explained. “There were no Asian people, no black people, no people of color. Then suddenly, here comes Star Trek with a hot black woman!” Whoopi laughed.

“That was a huge deal for me. It meant that a great many of us are going to go into the future, and I needed that. I wanted to pay homage to that,” Whoopi shared.

For more about Whoopi's life and career, see the slideshow below:

Star Trek The Next Generation, From Whoopi Goldberg (VIDEO)

Life And Career Of Whoopi Goldberg

Life And Career Of Whoopi Goldberg

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"The Spook Show"

In 1983, Whoopi appeared off-Broadway in "The Spook Show", a one-woman tour-de-force that featured all of her wildly original characters. Among those in the audience wowed by her talent was legendary director Mike Nichols, who brought the show to Broadway -- catapulting Whoopi to stardom, and catching the eye of director Steven Spielberg, who was casting his new film The Color Purple.